ESSAY01
Heroes Live Among Us
What does it mean to be a hero? Must individuals possess the ability to fly or to harness
unearthly powers, be religious leaders, movement leaders, social justice activists, humanitarian
workers, missionaries, or save multiple lives to be regarded as a hero? Heroism is very much
alive in society today. Heroes live among the crowds. They may not even know the affect they
have. They are volunteers. To prove that volunteers are the heroes of our time there must be an
examination and comparison of societies past heroes who include Superman, Martin Luther King
Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and the Good Samaritan.
Superman and volunteers share three important attributes of being a hero which include
equality, humility, and attitude. His focus is on saving the whole world, protecting the entire
human race. There is no favoritism shown to some individuals over others. All human life is
equal. Heroic volunteers share the same mindset. And pay no regard to an individual’s
background and past actions. Another thing that supports Superman’s heroism is his humility. He
has an alter ego known as Clark Kent. Instead of showcasing himself to the world as a hero, he
becomes an everyday citizen. He seeks not to be emphasized by who he is, but by what he does.
In the same way, volunteers show humility. No matter the action they perform, supporting the
cause or assisting the individual, they are not seeking praise from others or seeking to gain
anything for their actions. Instead they volunteer because it is the right thing to do. Volunteers do
no boast in their works but boast in the effect the cause is having. Superman also has an attitude
that supports the idea of heroism. In being a superhero, he consistently puts himself in harm’s
way to protect others. Even when the people he saves are not grateful, he does not complain and
saves them regardless. Volunteers show heroism through attitude also. They stay positive, and do
whatever means necessary to help others. On the odd chance that the individuals being helped
complain or are not grateful, volunteers overcome the discouragement and continue to help.
They perform any task asked of them, whether it is cleaning dishes, interacting with individuals,
or taking out the trash. They never complain.
Three of the most recognizable heroes of recent times (as referred to by many) are
known universally as individuals who stood up to unjust and volunteered their time and efforts to
creating a better society. Through the examination of quotes by the three heroes of recent times,
it will provide insight into heroism and its relation to volunteers. The first recent hero to be
examined is the civil rights activist, Martin Luther King Jr. who focused on gaining rights for
African Americans in the United States. King became a pillar of hope. King once stated, “Life’s
most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’” Volunteers provide
hope, as King did, and as heroes do. King encouraged the masses of African Americans in their
struggles, as volunteers encourage the individual in their struggles. Volunteers try to provide the
same sense of peace that King spoke of. They try to encourage a healthy, peaceful environment.
They create this by encouraging a positive atmosphere where individuals can let their guard
down and reach a peaceful state even if it is only for a while. Another such hero as regarded by
our society would be Mahatma Gandhi who peacefully protested for India’s independence. One
important thing he did was ridding India of the caste system which categorized people into social
classes. He once said, “A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.” If
individuals want to live in a culture that has a focus on taking care and supporting its entire
population then this culture needs to become a culture that volunteers. The culture needs to shift
from the idea of satisfying the needs of the individual, to satisfying the needs of the whole
(which starts by taking care of the poor). Mother Teresa could possibly be regarded as one of the
best volunteers recorded in history. She dedicated her life to helping the poor and the sick of
Calcutta India. She said, “Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely, and the unwanted
according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble
work.” No one ever regarded volunteering as being an easy or even clean job. It is about going
outside the lines, outside the social barriers, and reaching down to lift another man up. Mother
Teresa’s mother regarded volunteering when she said, “Some of them are our relation but all of
them are our people.” If individuals place a focus on connection points instead of focusing on
division then society will become deeply rooted in human decency and mutual respect.
The last hero to consider is the parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:25-37.
A man was travelling from one city to another, and was robbed along the way. He was stripped
of his clothes, beaten, and left for dead. People travelled along the path yet no one helped him.
His sworn enemy found him on the road, tended to his wounds and carried him to the hospital.
There are people in society today who feel stripped of their dignity, beat down by their
addictions, and left to live in desolation. Volunteers reach out, grasp the hands of the broken and
walk with them on their road to recovery. Heroism has become the actions of a volunteer.
Superman is fictional. Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa have all
passed on. The Good Samaritan is just a parable. But at the heartbeat of heroism are volunteers
because the real heroes live among us living ordinary lives and wearing ordinary clothes.